cervical ganglion

cervical ganglion n any of three sympathetic ganglia on each side of the neck:

a) a ganglion at the top of the sympathetic chain that lies between the internal carotid artery and the second and third cervical vertebrae and that sends postganglionic fibers to the heart, larynx, and pharynx, and to the head called also superior cervical ganglion

b) a ganglion at the level of the carotid cartilage that is the smallest of the cervical ganglia, that varies in its presence or absence, size, form, and position, and that sends fibers to the fifth and sixth cervical nerves called also middle cervical ganglion see THYROID GANGLION

c) a ganglion that is located between the base of the transverse process of the seventh cervical vertebra and the fifth rib and is usu. partly or completely fused with the first thoracic ganglion to form the stellate ganglion called also inferior cervical ganglion